Bleed Cubbie Blue - Cubs vs. Cardinals Sunday game threadsA Chicago Cubs Fan Community Since February 9, 2005https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47557/cubbieblue.png2018-10-01T09:00:04-05:00http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/rss/stream/176605032018-10-01T09:00:04-05:002018-10-01T09:00:04-05:002018 Cubs Heroes and Goats: Game 162
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<figcaption>Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Cubs bats awaken just in the nick of time for 10-5 win</p> <p id="TFXAz7">Sunday was another day full of irony. Sure, you had to wonder if the four teams scheduled to play one last game against four teams desperate to win and increase their odds in the postseason would be over-matched. But you also had to wonder if any of the four teams looking to win their divisions would be tight. The answer was a resounding no. Save for a couple of early hiccups for the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a>, all four would-be division winners were on top of their game and all four crushed their opposition. All four scored 10 runs. Congratulations Major League Baseball, your all of the games at the same time strategy worked. </p>
<p id="ZxrBy2">And so it is, that these four teams are dropped into a double elimination tournament. Three games, four teams. One team will lose twice and go home. One team will split two games and continue on. The other two teams will win their first game and be crowned division champions. This creates an interesting strategy of sorts in that there is a pretty big advantage to winning the first game, but the largest possible strategy is to not lose two games. So if the wheels fall off of the bus for someone early today, their best strategy is probably to pull up and play for Tuesday. And their fanbase probably won’t entirely understand the move. It won’t be popular. I understand in college ball and elsewhere this type of strategy comes up more often. But it doesn’t usually play in MLB very often. </p>
<p id="B0zVhw">I’ve written a lot of words across the 2018 season, but it comes down to this. I believe in this team. I believe in the man on the mound today. I believe in the Wrigley faithful. All of that said, I believe the team coming to Chicago today is smoking hot. I believe they have a hitter who has had an incredible season and finished on an incredible run. I believe this will be one tough game. It wouldn’t be crazy to think Monday isn’t that big of a deal. Playing Tuesday night isn’t the death penalty. Teams have won the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-series">World Series</a> from the wildcard spot. But make no mistake, winning this game, getting two days off, getting home field advantage, forcing two very good teams to play each other eliminating one, it’s a very big deal. Let’s get it Cubs fans. </p>
<p id="UT2P9J">With that, we turn our attention to yesterday’s game as we look at what WPA had to say about Heroes and Goats. As always the Heroes and Goats are determined by WPA (Win Probability Added — <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/3/28/17159170/cubs-heroes-and-goats-2018-season-primer"><strong>here’s a good explanation of how WPA works</strong></a>) and are not in any way subjective. Many days WPA will not tell the story of what happened, but often it can give at least a glimpse to who rose to the occasion in a high leverage moment or who didn’t get the job done in that moment. Also note, for the purposes of Heroes and Goats, we ignore the results of pitchers while they are batting and hitters while they are pitching. With that, we get to the results.</p>
<p id="ZB82Xh"><strong>Game 162, September 30 - Cubs bats explode in 10-5 win (95-67)</strong></p>
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<iframe src="https://www.fangraphs.com/graphframe.aspx?config=0&static=0&type=wins&num=0&h=450&w=450&date=2018-09-30&team=Cubs&dh=0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" height="450" width="450" style="border:1px solid black;"></iframe><br><span style="font-size:9pt;">Source: <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/wins.aspx?date=2018-09-30&team=Cubs&dh=0&season=2018">FanGraphs</a></span>
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<p id="pjXxSK"><strong>THE THREE HEROES: </strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="GCeQXT">
<strong>Superhero - </strong><span>Anthony Rizzo</span> (.161). Anthony was particularly grooved in yesterday. Four hits and a walk in five plate appearances. He drove in a run and scored three. Two of the hits were doubles. Superstar hitters rising to the occasion. It’s a beautiful thing (when it’s on your side).</li>
<li id="AqLQE7">
<strong>Hero - </strong><span>Ben Zobrist</span> (.147). Ben had just one hit in five at bats. But what a hit it was. A two-out RBI triple. He then scored on a wild pitch to tie the game at 2-2 and in those moments, the wind appeared to come out of the sails of <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a> pitching. </li>
<li id="I2iby8">
<strong>Sidekick - </strong><span>Alec Mills</span> (.085). If you had both of Sunday’s game mattering and Mills on one of the Heroes podium before the season, you should be making money prognosticating. Alec threw two innings and allowed two runs on two walks and a hit. All of that damage occurred when he went back out for a third inning. Those first two innings were enormous.</li>
</ul>
<p id="tvdno7"><strong>THE THREE GOATS:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="uIFJZK">
<strong>Billy Goat - </strong><span>Mike Montgomery</span> (-.121). Fortunately, I believe that Mike is made from very strong fiber. Otherwise, Sunday’s outing would be a very concerning one. The Cardinals were hitting the ball hard and finding holes. He was in trouble from the starting gun. He allowed five hits and two runs. One of the runs was unearned and indeed, things wouldn’t have looked so bad were it not for one bad hop against the Cubs and one great hop for the Cardinals. Baseball can definitely be a game of inches. </li>
<li id="n77736">
<strong>Goat - </strong><span>Kyle Schwarber</span> (-.047). Kyle was hitless in two at bats before departing this one. Regardless, I sincerely hope Kyle is in today’s lineup. </li>
<li id="CEWqF3">
<strong>Kid - </strong><span>Victor Caratini</span> (-.019). Vic was retired in his pinch hit at bat. </li>
</ul>
<p id="jx8K7c"><strong>WPA Play of the Game: </strong>Anthony Rizzo batted with <span>Javier Baez</span> on first and the score tied 2-2. There were two outs and Rizzo smashed a double. Baez scored from first and the Cubs had their first lead of the day at 3-2. (.127)</p>
<p id="o32njM">*Cardinals Play of the Game: With two outs in the first and a runner on first, <span>Patrick Wisdom</span> lined a single to center. The ball took a bad hop and got by <span>Jason Heyward</span> and just kept rolling. What should have put runners on the corner scored a run from first and put the other runner on third. (.100). The Cubs announcers had this as the first error that Heyward has ever been charged with in center field. A remarkable stat if true, because that sample size is increasing by the day.</p>
<p id="EKOEzC"><strong>Cumulative Leaders:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="iottV1">
<strong>Superhero - </strong><span>Pedro Strop</span> 22</li>
<li id="9sKOOt">
<strong>Hero - </strong><span>Kyle Hendricks</span> 20</li>
<li id="abjY7x">
<strong>Sidekick - </strong>Javier Baez 19.5</li>
<li id="elwkmD">4th/5th - Anthony Rizzo 16</li>
</ul>
<p id="v5MxvX">Things were so hectic yesterday that I didn’t point out that Javier Baez HAD to win the Superhero in order to win the Superhero of the Year award. As it turns out, that would have been false, he can do it today instead. Anthony Rizzo needs to avoid the Goat side of the ledger today to ensure a fifth time in five years in the top five of these standings. Is there a scenario where either Pedro Strop or Kyle Hendricks pitches in this game? I hope not. I’d much rather a long start out and then maybe <span>Justin Wilson</span> and/or <span>Jesse Chavez</span> to close it out. But these games make odd scenarios happen.</p>
<p id="2fxCWe"><strong>Up Next: </strong>As if you didn’t know, the Cubs and <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a> play one game for home field advantage throughout the NL playoffs. The Cubs send <span>Jose Quintana</span> to the mound. I’m not going to be repetitive here. Jose has four wins against the Brewers this year alone. He’s got six against them in his career. 10 games against them with a 1.60 ERA in his career. When the Cubs got their one off day in the last month and a half, they conceived of this exact scenario. They shuffled Q and Lester and lined Q up for this game. It’s the perfect spot, the Brewer-killer in one game. The ace is saved for whatever game is next, because there will be a next game. The Cubs have the guy on the mound that they wanted for this game. And he’s on proper rest.</p>
<p id="w3zaPD">The Brewers are lined up for <span>Jhoulys Chacin</span> who has a very good record against the Cubs in his own right. The Cubs did get to him in his last start against them. He has a 1.59 ERA against the Cubs in four starts against them this year. Oddly, he is only 2-2. <span>Craig Counsell</span> was weighing his options and hasn’t announced a starter. I wouldn’t be shocked if he goes with a bullpen day. I wouldn’t be shocked if he uses <span>Josh Hader</span> or someone as an opener, trying to get off to a good start and ceasing an early lead. This game could really take on any complexion. Regardless of what the Brewers choose to do, this is the key number. When the Cubs score four runs (or more), they are 72-15. Somehow, some way. Get to four runs.</p>
<p id="gtCJdn">I close with a cheer from my children’s high school.</p>
<p id="TAv8tZ">I. I believe. I believe that. I believe that we. I believe that we will. I believe that we will win. I BELIEVE that we will WIN! </p>
<p id="kfwQ6d">Let’s get it done. See you on the other side.</p>
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<p id="Ksyqsy">Site note: Today's game preview will post at 10:30 a.m. CT.</p>
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https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/10/1/17922896/2018-cubs-heroes-and-goats-game-162Thomas Smith2018-09-30T19:25:09-05:002018-09-30T19:25:09-05:00Cubs 10, Cardinals 5: And the band played on
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<figcaption>Photo by Andrew Weber/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>There will be a Game 163 for the Cubs in 2018.</p> <p id="NuYolt">To paraphrase the words of the late Jack Buck: “And we will see you tomorrow afternoon.”</p>
<p id="U6EdC6"><a href="http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2018_09_30_slnmlb_chnmlb_1">The Cubs defeated the Cardinals 10-5</a> on a wet, gloomy Sunday at Wrigley Field, and the <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a> crushed the <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Tigers</a> 11-0, so the Cubs and Brewers, even at 95 wins each, will meet for the N.L. Central title Monday at 12:05 p.m. CT at Wrigley. The winner gets two days off, which right now probably sounds like a great prize to the Cubs. The loser hosts the N.L. wild-card game Tuesday evening.</p>
<p id="EQkDJa">There will also be a tiebreaker game Monday for the N.L. West title between the <a href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a> and <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> at Dodger Stadium at 3:05 p.m. CT. The Cubs had to win and just one of three other teams (<a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a>, <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a>, Tigers) had to win to prevent the Cubs from playing in a noon game Monday. Not only did all three of those teams lose, but all of them got shut out and all allowed at least 11 runs Sunday.</p>
<p id="0lcSVq">That was today, though, and the Monday game will surely be different.</p>
<p id="qZumL1">First, though, let’s unpack the Cubs’ Game 162 victory.</p>
<p id="wT6f7P">It did not start out well. <span>Mike Montgomery</span> got hit hard in the first inning and an uncharacteristic error by <span>Jason Heyward</span> allowed a second run to score in that inning, making it 2-0 Cardinals. Oh, well, I thought, the Cubs are just going to have to come from behind again.</p>
<p id="XEoiqc">That didn’t start out well either. <span>Daniel Murphy</span> led off with a walk, and one out later <span>Javier Baez</span> forced him and advanced to second on a wild pitch. <span>Anthony Rizzo</span> then singled to right, and <a href="https://mediadownloads.mlb.com/mlbam/mp4/2018/09/30/2511617483/1538337256989/asset_1800K.mp4">oh Javy what were you thinking? [VIDEO]</a></p>
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<p id="4nPLb8"></p>
<p id="NULPUy">Baez ran right through Brian Butterfield’s stop sign and was thrown out easily. Sure, Joe Maddon likes aggressive baserunning and Javy usually sizes these things up pretty well... but not that time. This did not set a good tone early.</p>
<p id="0Jr2fg">The Cubs went down 1-2-3 in the second and when <span>Mike Montgomery</span> allowed a one-out double in the third, that’s when Joe began an enormous parade of miscellaneous relief pitchers. And... for the most part, they did pretty well. <span>Allen Webster</span> retired two of the three hitters he faced to finish the third, and then Cubs hitters got to work, all after the first two hitters were retired in the bottom of the third.</p>
<p id="Ld5X7q">Murphy doubled and <a href="https://mediadownloads.mlb.com/mlbam/mp4/2018/09/30/2511912683/1538339873011/asset_1800K.mp4">that brought up Ben Zobrist [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
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<p id="Lo2Evy">Granted, <span>Jose Martinez</span> is pretty much a statue in right field, but Zobrist moves pretty well for a 37-year-old, and wound up with an RBI triple. A wild pitch scored him to tie the game, and then Baez walked. <a href="https://mediadownloads.mlb.com/mlbam/mp4/2018/09/30/2511938883/1538342947636/asset_1800K.mp4">Rizzo was next [VIDEO].</a></p>
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<p id="dEXom7"></p>
<p id="Nt75PD">That time, Javy scored easily on the double to the gap, Rizzo’s 100th RBI of the season, making him the first lefthanded hitter in Cubs franchise history to have four 100-RBI seasons. And you can tell at the end of that video, when Rizzo got to second base, how pumped he was.</p>
<p id="ErAjiC"><span>Kris Bryant</span> was given a Manfred and <a href="https://mediadownloads.mlb.com/mlbam/mp4/2018/09/30/2511976483/1538341470243/asset_1800K.mp4">Jason Heyward followed [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
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<p id="A0XCjX">That made it 4-2, an impressive two-out rally.</p>
<p id="8QSbUy"><span>Alec Mills</span> entered to pitch and threw two really good scoreless innings, allowing just one walk.</p>
<p id="XhhuBm">In the bottom of the fifth, the Cubs put another four-spot on the board, the highlights being a two-run double by Bryant and <a href="https://mediadownloads.mlb.com/mlbam/mp4/2018/09/30/2512567883/1538345742679/asset_1800K.mp4">this line-drive shot by Willson Contreras [VIDEO]</a> with Bryant on second.</p>
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<p id="KqUCnc">The ball bounced back onto the field off the ribbon board above the left-field basket for a two-run homer. That was Willson’s first home run since August 1, a span of 43 games and 155 plate appearances, and put him in double figures for the season at 10. If Contreras can start finding his power again, that bodes very well for him in the postseason.</p>
<p id="NSxfjx">It’s now 8-2 and plans are furiously being made for a tiebreaker game Monday. Mills got a bit sloppy in the sixth, putting two runners on and Joe called on <span>Carl Edwards Jr.</span> CJ threw a wild pitch and allowed a two-run single before a double play and a groundout ended the inning. I get what Joe is trying to do with CJ, he’s an important part of the bullpen, but his velocity still seems down and his command still isn’t great.</p>
<p id="vmci7I">The Cubs put two more on the board in the sixth, also after two were out. Baez doubled and Rizzo walked, then an error by Cardinals pitcher <span>Dakota Hudson</span> allowed one run to score. A single by <span>Albert Almora Jr.</span> plated the 10th Cubs run of the afternoon. That double by Baez was a milestone for him:</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Javier Báez with his 40th double.<br><br>First player in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cubs</a> history with 40+ doubles, 30+ HR & 20+ stolen bases in a season.</p>— Christopher Kamka (@ckamka) <a href="https://twitter.com/ckamka/status/1046516948723486725?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2018</a>
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<p id="i1HCcS">Then it was up to a bunch more Cubs relievers to finish the day. <span>Brandon Kintzler</span> was charged with one run in the seventh, and <span>Steve Cishek</span> had to finish up that frame. Cishek’s probably the only reliever Joe really didn’t want to use in this game, but he had to nail down that inning before it got worse. Cishek threw only 10 pitches in this one after 11 on Saturday... here’s hoping he’s not needed in Monday’s game, because he appeared in five of the seven games on the homestand and three of the last four.</p>
<p id="Lb4RbD">Finally, <span>Jaime Garcia</span> and <span>Jorge De La Rosa</span> finished up without incident to give the Cubs their 95th win of the year and the tie with Milwaukee. Scoreboard-watching went out the window fairly early with the Brewers blowing out the Tigers, and so everyone began making plans for an early Monday afternoon date at the ballpark.</p>
<p id="LyWX3B">The Cubs released the following information about ticket sales for Monday:</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="OFUlJO">Tickets for the tiebreaker game go on sale Sunday, September 30, at 7:30 p.m. CT, and will be available online at <a href="http://www.cubs.com/singlegametickets">www.cubs.com/singlegametickets</a>.</p>
<p id="nEPD49">The Cubs will offer an in-person purchase opportunity beginning at 8 a.m. CT tomorrow, October 1, at the Wrigley Field Ticket Office located on Clark Street, just north of the Marquee. Fans also can purchase tickets for the game by telephone beginning at 8:30 a.m. CT tomorrow, October 1, by calling 800-THE-CUBS (800-843-2827). Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis.</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="d1rJFz">Season-ticket holders had to pay for their tickets by 11:59 p.m. CT Saturday or have them released to the general public. Most of the STH I know are coming to Monday’s game, except for a handful with commitments they couldn’t break. I would expect tickets to sell out quickly online Sunday night, with only a small number available in person Monday morning.</p>
<p id="ng9ATk">MLB has, since 2015, been scheduling all last-day games to begin within a few minutes of 2 p.m. CT. Thus, the Wrigley scoreboard has never been quite this full (this photo taken just before the first completed game of the day, <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Rangers</a>/<a href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/">Mariners</a>):</p>
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<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/lfkccHBP2QlioasvSUAl0gTJuJ8=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/13187873/20180930_162458.jpg">
<cite>Al Yellon</cite>
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<p id="LievbU">And then, about 90 minutes later, with the Cubs/Cardinals game the only one still going:</p>
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<cite>Al Yellon</cite>
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<p id="wHUq5D">Monday’s game will feature <span>Jose Quintana</span> going for the Cubs. The Brewers have not yet announced a starting pitcher but it’s widely expected that <span>Jhoulys Chacin</span> will be their starter. Game time is 12:05 p.m. CT and TV coverage is via ESPN — no more local TV broadcasts this year. The Dodgers/Rockies N.L. West tiebreaker will follow, also via ESPN.</p>
<p id="J2VXVN">Guess what? <a href="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-87.65578620135784&lat=41.948085555786605#.W7FmxxNKjmI">It might rain again Monday</a>, though that forecast has the heavier rain holding off till later in the day and in the evening, so the noon start might actually work out for the Cubs.</p>
<p id="B7BDLr">A reminder that Game 163 is considered a regular-season game for standing and statistical purposes. All stats count as part of the regular season, and the winner of this game will finish with 96 regular-season wins, the loser with 68 regular-season losses. It also means that the expanded September rosters are in use, so the Cubs will have 37 active players available.</p>
<p id="a1TeTU">More on all this Monday morning. In the meantime... #LetsGo #EverybodyIn</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/9/30/17921510/cubs-cardinals-recap-anthony-rizzo-willson-contreras-mlb-scoresAl Yellon2018-09-30T17:05:02-05:002018-09-30T17:05:02-05:00Overflow thread 3: Cubs vs. Cardinals, Sunday 9/30, 2:20 CT
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<figcaption>Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="g88ofi">——</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/9/30/17896438/overflow-thread-3-cubs-vs-cardinals-sunday-9-30-2-20-ctAl Yellon2018-09-30T16:20:01-05:002018-09-30T16:20:01-05:00Overflow thread 2: Cubs vs. Cardinals, Sunday 9/30, 2:20 CT
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<figcaption>Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="g88ofi">——</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/9/30/17896430/overflow-thread-2-cubs-vs-cardinals-sunday-9-30-2-20-ctAl Yellon2018-09-30T15:20:01-05:002018-09-30T15:20:01-05:00Overflow thread 1: Cubs vs. Cardinals, Sunday 9/30, 2:20 CT
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/WRpaeqx4JBneL3A7I9TdjoPyQj4=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61591807/1043018012.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="g88ofi">——</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/9/30/17896424/overflow-thread-1-cubs-vs-cardinals-sunday-9-30-2-20-ctAl Yellon2018-09-30T14:15:02-05:002018-09-30T14:15:02-05:00First pitch thread: Cubs vs. Cardinals, Sunday 9/30, 2:20 CT
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/tWhcfW3aGE8ECJlppO-ld8mJfE4=/0x169:4210x2976/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61591683/usa_today_11277058.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="2CMK8E">Go get ‘em, Mike.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/9/30/17895774/first-pitch-thread-cubs-vs-cardinals-sunday-9-30-2-20-ctAl Yellon2018-09-30T12:30:02-05:002018-09-30T12:30:02-05:00Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals preview, Sunday 9/30, 2:20 CT
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/HO9KC0TEuuSh4Ocm5n65cfS_Fmw=/231x281:3500x2460/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61591707/usa_today_11343561.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Cubs’ postseason plans depend on the result of this game.</p> <p id="xBlGCx">You don’t need me to tell you of the importance of this game, and <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/9/30/17919508/major-league-baseball-final-day-cubs-brewers-dodgers-rockies">I’ve already laid out all the scenarios earlier today</a>.</p>
<p id="9v7dgC">In addition to everything else — <a href="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-87.65590857714415&lat=41.94796985176504#.W7C1iBNKjKI">it might rain this afternoon</a>. This season has already been marred by multiple rainouts and delays; it somehow seems appropriate.</p>
<p id="6TgSHS">So as usual, here’s your local radar to keep track.</p>
<div id="pp8vMA"><center><img src="https://radar.weather.gov/lite/NCR/LOT_loop.gif"></center></div>
<p id="KizKzO"></p>
<p id="KtYkkE">I don’t think I can add anything else to this preview that hasn’t already been said. Just win, and hope the <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a> lose.</p>
<p id="weTyZJ">Here are today’s particulars.</p>
<p id="Vergm4"><a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> lineup:</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="und" dir="ltr">162 <a href="https://t.co/f7LuqLki9y">pic.twitter.com/f7LuqLki9y</a></p>— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/1046415828953026560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2018</a>
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<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p id="paTjw6"><a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a> lineup:</p>
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<p lang="und" dir="ltr">Today's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/STLCards?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#STLCards</a> lineup (9/30):<br>Carpenter 1B<br>J. Martínez RF<br>DeJong SS<br>O'Neill LF<br>Wisdom 3B<br>Bader CF<br>Muñoz 2B<br>Peña C<br>Flaherty SP</p>— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cardinals/status/1046433469147033600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2018</a>
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<h2 id="n0DD2t">
<span>Mike Montgomery</span>, LHP vs. <span>Jack Flaherty</span>, RHP</h2>
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<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KtqV4mhiJ0qnfM9ZQb70oNpB1Zs=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/13182515/usa_today_10738814.jpg">
<cite>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<div class="c-float-right"> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/U7zRQ60R4wFpTu2QUMDfEjMXShw=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/13182521/usa_today_10738896.jpg">
<cite>Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="m1tpCg">Mike Montgomery, with this start, will have half of his 2018 appearances out of the rotation (19 starts, 19 relief outings). Since his return from the DL he’s made one good start and had four mediocre ones. He has started twice against the Cardinals this year. <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN201807212.shtml">One was really good.</a> <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLN/SLN201807270.shtml">The other was not.</a></p>
<p id="JNWlWk">He’s going to need to be really good today. Simple as that. </p>
<p id="aKQXa4">Jack Flaherty has had a good rookie year for the Cardinals, but appears to be running out of gas. Last four starts: 5.14 ERA, 1.286 WHIP, 10 walks in 21 innings. He made two starts against the Cubs earlier this year and has allowed only one run in 10 innings, with 16 strikeouts.</p>
<p id="FHWTBT">Let’s hope the gassed version of Flaherty is the one we get today, instead of that guy who shut the Cubs down in June and July.</p>
<p id="pcXzcv">Today’s game is on NBC Sports Chicago.</p>
<p id="cxuSIp"><a href="https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/2018/09/30">Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.</a></p>
<p id="Xe5URc"><a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2018_09_30_slnmlb_chnmlb_1">MLB.com Gameday</a></p>
<p id="iDRiK8"><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/previews/2018/CHN201809300.shtml">Baseball-reference.com game preview</a></p>
<p id="AScVZw"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/events/536764/pregame">SB Nation game preview</a></p>
<p id="c01E3n">Please visit our SB Nation <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a> site <a href="http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Viva el Birdos</a>. If you do go there to interact with Cardinals fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.</p>
<p id="4R9cxt">The 2018 Game Thread procedure will be the same as the one used during 2017. Here’s how it works.</p>
<p id="uNrOo7">You’ll find the game preview posted separately on the front page, two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).</p>
<p id="Jy7Er2">At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page. The First Pitch Thread and all the overflow threads will be published in that stream, as well as the recap. The recap will also live on the front page as a separate post, and at the time I write the recap I will rename the stream “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of Week) Game Threads” so you can go back and find every thread related to that particular game.</p>
<p id="F5ehVY">You will also be able to find the preview, First Pitch Thread, all the overflow threads and recap in the box marked “Chicago Cubs Game Threads” at the bottom of the front page (you can also find them in <a href="http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/chicago-cubs-game-threads">this section link</a>). They will also appear in the game’s StoryStream as noted above.</p>
<p id="pjBR1E">The First Pitch thread will post at five minutes before game time, then an overflow thread at one hour, two hours and 2:45 after the scheduled game time.</p>
<p id="cWIBoH">Discuss amongst yourselves.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/9/30/17883306/chicago-cubs-st-louis-cardinals-preview-sundayAl Yellon